Cracking the
Beat Sheet
Go from idea to outline at your own pace
In the self-paced Cracking Your Beat Sheet workshop, you'll start with an idea for a novel or film and leave with the 15 key beats that will become the backbone of your story.
With the popular Save the Cat! approach, you’ll discover the language of storytelling and the universal story structuring principles that are widely used by successful screenwriters and novelists.
You'll turn an idea into a story by learning to...
Requirements
This course is for those who...
Introduction
Lecture 1: Start with a Title and a Logline
Lecture 2: Blake's 10 Story Genres
Reading Assignment
Worksheet: 4 + 4 Elements of Every Successful Logline
Worksheet: Blake's 10 Story Genres
Worksheet: Logline Template
Worksheet: 3 Common Pitch Problems
Week 1 Homework
Lecture 3: Overview of the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet
Lecture 4: Focus on the 6 Pillar Beats
Reading Assignment
Worksheet: The 15 Beats
Week 2 Homework
Lecture 5: Focus on the Other 9 Beats
Worksheet: Five-Point Finale/Storming the Castle
Week 3 Homework
Lecture 6: Polishing and Refining Your Beats
Reading Assignment
Worksheet: The Story Spine Checklist
Worksheet: The "Is It Broken?" Test
Worksheet: The Transformation Machine
Week 4 Homework
Exit Survey
Jennifer Zhang
This course, and the books, have inspired me to write like no other courses have...and to make my existing scripts better. Totally worth it.
This course, and the books, have inspired me to write like no other courses have...and to make my existing scripts better. Totally worth it.
Read LessI have an MFA in Screenwriting. I read the STC books when they were published, but this course is what really made it all come together - including what I le...
Read MoreI have an MFA in Screenwriting. I read the STC books when they were published, but this course is what really made it all come together - including what I learned in my MFA program! The course is relevant as it uses movie examples we've all seen, not like most screenwriting courses that rely on "the classics" which most people rarely, if at all, watch. (Although I feel there is MUCH to be gained from watching the classics). The course is broken down into weeks, but you can watch it over the course of days. I do recommend using the weekly approach as if you were in college taking a course. DO the reading assignments and the worksheets as well. You'll be amazed by what you apply to the learning! I've been using Beat Sheets for years, but this comprehensive course brought new understandings to my usage. It's not just another tool in the toolbox, it's THE tool you need in your writing. I have even gone back to rewrite my current agent-approved script to tighten it up since I took this course. Bravo, Save the Cat Team!
Read LessGreat stuff if you REALLY want to understand the beats!
Great stuff if you REALLY want to understand the beats!
Read LessMy editor told me that my MC had no agency and the pacing was off, so I am going back to the drawing board and using the Beat Sheets and lessons from this cl...
Read MoreMy editor told me that my MC had no agency and the pacing was off, so I am going back to the drawing board and using the Beat Sheets and lessons from this class to rework my book so that is a story I can be proud of. THANK YOU JENNIFER... I love your teaching style and humor! :)
Read LessI was surprised and pleased with the excellent content and presentation of this short, tight, and robust course. Definitely I got more for my money than I ex...
Read MoreI was surprised and pleased with the excellent content and presentation of this short, tight, and robust course. Definitely I got more for my money than I expected. Well done.
Read LessThank you for making this course. It helps me get more understanding of how the film works. And how I can have a guide to make my ideas of stories.
Thank you for making this course. It helps me get more understanding of how the film works. And how I can have a guide to make my ideas of stories.
Read Less